What was the other thing you wanted to tell me?
Yes, please, Alex, she said, smiling in spite of her sorrow. I dont blame you one
bit, Scarlett, said Alex while the darkblood of anger flooded his face. Itwas
Saturday night and probably half the men of the County would bethere. Youre a smart
girl, Scarlett, and I figger, yes, you could havehelped him preferrin you. Well, you
know more about that than Ido, of course.
And, of course, she must befeeling badly about old
man OHara.
She felt that herealized her condition and it
embarrassed her. They compliment expectant mothers upontheir
expectations.
Alex talked riddles and said she ought to be
whipped. At any rate, he made enough money to leave myfather quite wealthy. Ill
thank you to keep a civil tongue in yourhead, Will Benteen!
Alex, I dont want to talk about it, she said
shortly. She said Oh in a stunned voice and tightened her fingers over hercrimson
face.
You change the subject when I am baring a loving
butlacerated heart? Its home to me, Scarlett, the only real home I everknew and I
love every stone of it.
She went around home for about a weekall swelled up
and excited and didnt have much to say.
Alex said he saw him come out on the street,
chargin like a bull. Sometimes myarms ache all night from tugging at him. Elsing and
their broods approve of you now. Most of the time he dont realizeshes dead and here
you are rubbin it in. Perhaps it was because she was going to have a
baby.
Thank you, she replied, wishing he had not said
it.
During these months Scarlett had learned the use of
brandy. Climbing awkwardly down from the wagon, he stumped toward her and,bending,
kissed her cheek.
She hasnt never got used to doin without. Suellen
aint as bad as youthink, Scarlett. She wasafraid she would cry if anyone even
mentioned his name to her.
One time, I seen her point to your mas grave and
the old gentlemanbegun to cry.